Home runs still rare for Whitecaps at Fifth Third

After the West Michigan Whitecaps' Casper Wells clubbed a pair of home runs on opening night at Fifth Third Ballpark, you might have thought it was the beginning of a season of change for the Whitecaps at home.

Not a chance.

As they've always been, Whitecaps home runs at Fifth Third Ballpark are a rare commodity.

In fact, West Michigan may struggle to match the team's totals at home from the last three seasons.

The Whitecaps ranked 13th out of 14 Midwest League teams at the All-Star break with 10 homers at home. Only Wisconsin -- which had just five -- ranks lower. Nine teams had at least 20.

The players say they're well aware of the ballpark's well-deserved reputation as a Death Valley for homers. Most players take their meager home run totals in stride, saying they won't adapt their swings for the large ballpark.

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The Whitecaps rank near the bottom of the Midwest League for home runs hit at home:

Whitecaps first baseman Chris Carlson, who is second on the team with three homers at Fifth Third, said hitters only will get in trouble if they change their approach.

"You want to hit the ball on a line," Carlson said. "You're always trying to get some lift on a swing, but (home runs) aren't going to happen. The balls that go out here go out on a line.

"It can be frustrating. But at same time, you're going to get some doubles and triples here."

Historically, Fifth Third has never been a good ballpark for home runs. The Whitecaps have hit only 92 homers at home in the last 243 games, a span of 3 1/2 seasons.

The 2005 Whitecaps hit 27 homers at home, with Wilkin Ramirez leading the way with nine.

In 2006, Mike Hernandez hit six to lead a club that hit 29. Last season, the Whitecaps hit 26 at home, which included seven by Jeramy Laster.

With 10 homers at the midway point this season, the odds aren't good the Whitecaps will even match those numbers.

Wells has been promoted to Double-A Erie and Carlson is out with a broken hand. That leaves just three active players -- Ronnie Bourquin, Cory Middleton and Joe Tucker -- who have hit home runs at home this season.

Whitecaps catcher Jordan Newton, who is hitting .313 at home but doesn't have a homer in 64 at-bats, said players understand that the Tigers recognize it's a tough park in which to hit home runs. In that regard, there isn't necessarily pressure to hit home runs at home.

"You hit the ball in the gaps here and it dies," he said. "The field is a graveyard for your home run totals, but that can't change what you're trying to do."

Whitecaps manager Joe DePastino said the home run totals shouldn't affect what the team accomplishes.

The Whitecaps are hitting .253 at home with 38 doubles and 15 triples. West Michigan's 29 triples overall leads the league and its 94 stolen bases and 234 walks rank fourth.

"It's a big park, but we rely on speed and fundamentals, not home runs," DePastino said. "We have to do the little things and get on base to win."